Espial latest to launch Android TV product for pay TV operators

Espial is launching a fully managed TV-as-a-service solution for Android TV that includes support for Android TV Operator Tier set-top boxes and Android TV retail devices.

The company is building in a custom Android TV Leanback Laucher to support services including live TV, VOD, time-shifting and network DVR. The platform will also offer voice search and navigation, personalized discovery and unified search across over-the-top apps and operator content.

Espial is offering operators cloud control, data visualization and options for white labeling set-tops.

“Android TV has become a key platform for many service providers. We have tapped into the latest functionality from Google and have combined it with our operational depth and experience to offer a TV-as-a-Service solution for Android TV. By integrating Android TV into our Elevate cloud ecosystem, operators can bring Android TV services to market quickly and with low risk, while taking advantage of the latest innovations,” said Michael McCluskey, vice president of product management at Espial, in a statement.

RELATED: Android TV finds another pay TV ally in Vewd

Espial’s Android TV plans come out shortly after Vewd, formerly Opera TV, announced a similar offering. Vewd’s Android TV Operator Tier is promising a “cinematic, video-first” home screen, an OTT application store and an electronic programming guide integrating both live content and metadata from broadcast and OTT platforms.

Vewd is also offering platform data and analytics through its cloud.

Last year, Comcast released an Android TV app for its Xfinity TV Partner program so users with supported devices can get into their Comcast video service without a set-top.

At last year’s IBC Show in Amsterdam, pay TV hardware giant Arris rolled out a trio of UHD/HDR set-tops based on Android TV. And earlier this year, Evolution Digital launched an Android TV-powered set-top for providers.